A♭ Blues scale
The A♭ Blues scale is a 6-note blues scale built on the root A♭. Its notes are A♭, C♭, D♭, E𝄫, E♭ and G♭. Minor pentatonic with an added flat fifth (the blue note) - the heart of blues phrasing. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make A♭ Blues a great tool for improvising and composing.
The blues scale is where blues, rock, R&B and jazz improvisation live. That added flat fifth with all the bends and slides - that's its signature voice. Built on the root A♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where A♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- A♭ · C♭ · D♭ · E𝄫 · E♭ · G♭
- Formula
- 1P · 3m · 4P · 5d · 5P · 7m
- Step pattern
- W+H W H H W+H W
- Tonic
- A♭
A♭ Blues on the piano
A♭ Blues on the guitar
A♭ Blues on the staff
Hear the A♭ Blues scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the A♭ Blues scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | A♭(Ab) | |
| 2 | 3m | 3 | C♭(Cb) | |
| 3 | 4P | 5 | D♭(Db) | |
| 4 | 5d | 6 | E𝄫(Ebb) | |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | E♭(Eb) | |
| 6 | 7m | 10 | G♭(Gb) |
How to use the A♭ Blues scale
Because A♭ Blues has fewer or more than seven notes, it doesn't produce a standard set of seven diatonic triads. Instead, build chords by stacking thirds within the scale or use it as a melodic colour over chords drawn from a related diatonic key.
The blues scale is where blues, rock, R&B and jazz improvisation live. That added flat fifth with all the bends and slides - that's its signature voice.
Practice tips
Add the blue note (flat fifth) to your minor pentatonic phrases as a passing or grace note. Don't sit on it too long - works best as a slide.
Where you will hear A♭ Blues
A♭ Blues appears throughout the blues scale is where blues, rock, r&b and jazz improvisation live. that added flat fifth with all the bends and slides - that's its signature voice. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Formula & step pattern
The A♭ Blues scale follows the minor pentatonic scale with an added flat fifth - the famous “blue note”. Step pattern: W+H - W - H - H - W+H - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 3m · 4P · 5d · 5P · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the A♭ Blues scale?
- The A♭ Blues scale contains A♭, C♭, D♭, E𝄫, E♭ and G♭.
- What is the formula for the A♭ Blues scale?
- A♭ Blues follows the minor pentatonic scale with an added flat fifth - the famous “blue note”.
- Is A♭ Blues a major or minor scale?
- A♭ Blues is a blues scale. Minor pentatonic with an added flat fifth (the blue note) - the heart of blues phrasing.
- What chords belong to the A♭ Blues scale?
- A♭ Blues doesn't produce a standard seven-chord diatonic set. Use chords from a related diatonic scale instead.
- Which genres use A♭ Blues?
- The blues scale is where blues, rock, R&B and jazz improvisation live. That added flat fifth with all the bends and slides - that's its signature voice.
- How do I practise the A♭ Blues scale?
- Add the blue note (flat fifth) to your minor pentatonic phrases as a passing or grace note. Don't sit on it too long - works best as a slide.